TARPON SPRINGS — The Tarpon Springs Shepherd Center kicked off the holiday season Monday by handing out turkeys and all the fixings for a Thanksgiving Day meal to needy families.

Working with the Salvation Army, the Tarpon Springs Shepherd Center plans to give away a total of 1,000 turkey dinners by the end of today. Another 1,000 turkeys will be given away at Christmastime.

Along with the turkeys, people are receiving a dozen eggs, butter, cranberry sauce, canned vegetables, rice, stuffing and muffin mix, a jar of mayonnaise, a dessert mix and candy. More groceries are being given than in previous years because of increased need.

The free turkeys and groceries are being distributed from noon to 3 p.m. at the Tarpon Springs Shepherd Center’s food pantry and thrift store, at 780 S. Pinellas Ave.